“I am delighted that our 72-hour model has become nationally widespread, and now, in an extended version, is part of the healthcare reform,” says Regional Council Chairman Lars Gaardhøj (Social Democratic party of Denmark).
The Capital Region of Denmark is embarking on one of the several healthcare reform initiatives, extending the treatment responsibility after discharge from the previous 72 to 96 hours.
Since 2022, hospitals in the Capital Region of Denmark have had a 72-hour extended treatment responsibility for citizens discharged to municipal nursing care in their own homes, temporary places or nursing homes.
The agreement was made with the 29 municipalities and PLO Hovedstaden (an interest organisation for GPs in the capital region) to create smoother transitions between sectors and open direct communication between healthcare professionals in the municipalities and the discharging departments.
Since then, with the Government’s Acute Plan in 2023, the scheme has been extended to the other four regions and all municipalities. Now, it has become part of the healthcare reform, with an extension to 96 hours.
72-hour model is being rolled out
“We are working on several different initiatives in the Region to give citizens better treatment options and preferably save them a trip to the hospital. However, when they have been hospitalised, we shouldn’t just help them out the door at the hospital. We need to ensure they are helped safely into their home or nursing home. I am delighted that our 72-hour model has become nationally widespread, and now, in an extended version, is part of the healthcare reform,” says Regional Council Chairman Lars Gaardhøj (Social Democratic party of Denmark).
Responsibility now also covers psychiatry
Psychiatry has not previously been included in the extended treatment responsibility, but including psychiatry in the agreement strengthens treatment and supports the upcoming merger of somatics and psychiatry, which is also part of the healthcare reform.
For discharged psychiatric patients, there are already home treatment options for many of the patients in the target group who have municipal care needs or live in residential care. Many already receive outpatient treatment and follow-up within 24 hours of discharge. However, the Capital Region of Denmark’s Psychiatry Service has created a plan for treatment responsibility for 96 hours after discharge to cover even more citizens with mental illness. The option is expected to be ready in Q2.